inbreeding

noun

in·​breed·​ing ˈin-ˈbrē-diŋ 

1

: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock

2

: confinement to a narrow range or a local or limited field of choice

Examples of inbreeding in a Sentence

genetic defects caused by inbreeding

Recent Examples on the Web

This suggests that snow leopards have purged bad mutations within their population periodically over time, which eliminated potential disadvantageous impacts from historic inbreeding and allowed populations to remain healthy despite small numbers, according to the paper. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025

Just as children need exposure to multiple mentors and experiences, a business must absorb varied perspectives to avoid intellectual inbreeding. —Ken Polk, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

This suggested that rather than dying out, Neanderthals may have been absorbed by other species; such inbreeding may have been more common than previously thought. —ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025

In Victoria, the animals’ numbers are dwindling because of predation by cats, habitat loss due to logging and wildfires, climate change and inbreeding. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inbreeding

• acceding
• cheerleading
• conceding
• crossbreeding
• exceeding
• impeding
• misleading
• misreading
• preceding
• proceeding
• proofreading
• receding

Kids Definition

inbreeding

noun

in·​breed·​ing

ˈin-ˌbrēd-iŋ

: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve desirable characteristics and eliminate undesirable characteristics from a stock

Medical Definition

inbreeding

noun

in·​breed·​ing ˈin-ˈbrēd-iŋ 

: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock compare linebreeding, outbreeding